TUSAŞ General Manager Mehmet Demiroğlu discussed the latest status of the national fighter aircraft KAAN project during an appearance on Habertürk's Airport program. Demiroğlu stated that deliveries of the domestically-powered version of the aircraft are targeted to begin from 2033 onwards, emphasizing that serious development work on the engine has commenced at TEI. Demiroğlu noted that both KAAN and the TF35000 engine represent the highest priority projects for their respective organizations.

The collaboration between TUSAŞ and TEI forms a cornerstone of Turkish defense industry's localization strategy. TUSAŞ, established in 1994, operates as Turkey's leading aerospace and space technology manufacturer. The company has developed major platforms including the KAAN project, the ANKA unmanned aerial vehicle, Bayraktar TB2, and AKINCI systems. TEI, operating since 1988, specializes in engine and power systems development, producing critical components for the defense sector.

The TF35000 turbofan engine, designed to power the KAAN fighter aircraft, will play a crucial role in ensuring the aircraft's performance and operational independence. The engine incorporates critical functions including fuel control, air-oil separation, power transmission, and high-speed durability. Recently, the SSB opened the TRMOTOR Subsystems Test Center at Gebze Technical University, providing the necessary infrastructure for testing and validating subsystems of the TF35000 and auxiliary power unit (APU).

From a Turkish defense industry perspective, the development of domestic engine technology holds strategic significance. Dependence on foreign-sourced engines limits the operational autonomy of aircraft platforms and affects export potential. Equipping KAAN with the TF35000 will enable Turkey to achieve its goal of complete localization in aviation and will serve as a foundation for developing similar platforms. This achievement will strengthen the defense sector's research and development capacity and contribute to other organizations within the ecosystem through technology transfer.

In the global aerospace sector, fighter aircraft platforms are typically developed by nations possessing domestic engine technology. For example, France's Rafale uses the M88 engine produced by Snecma, while Sweden's Gripen employs the RM12 engine developed by Volvo Aero. Turkey's development of the TF35000 for KAAN aligns with this global standard and enhances the aircraft's competitiveness in the international market. The 2033 target indicates that domestic engine integration will occur following initial KAAN deliveries, allowing operational requirements to be met while the aircraft's development continues.